Parvin Butte decision to be reconsidered

From Lane County today, the county has the decision to allow mining at Parvin Butte without a site review to be reconsidered.

Lane County has filed a motion to the Lane County Hearings Official requesting reconsideration of a recent ruling and motion for dismissal regarding a site review process for quarry mining of Parvin Butte.

Lane County maintains that a site review for mining operations at Parvin Butte is necessary given the impact to neighboring residents including increased traffic, noise, and proximity to area homes. The County is also seeking to uphold the nearly $8,000 in fines the County levied to Lost Creek Rock Products for continuing operations without a site review.

“While the area is zoned for mineral extraction, we believe a site review is necessary to ensure that concerns are considered,” said Marc Kardell, assistant County Counsel. “Neighboring residents have stressed concern for increased traffic, noise, hours of operation, and overall impact on their quality of life. The code provisions point to mitigating those impacts through a site review process.”

On February 14, Lane County Hearings Official Gary Darnielle ruled that a site review was not applicable for uses “accessory to mineral extraction” such as roads that lie in the set back area, noise, or other impacts. Darnielle is a Lane Counsel of Governments employee, providing a neutral party to oversee the hearings.

The County is asking for a reconsideration of the ruling because the Lane Code outlines provisions to be followed for quarry operations, including site review requirements for necessary or accessory uses.

“We’re interested in applying the code fairly, and this means balancing zoned uses and their impacts on neighboring areas,” said Matt Laird, Land Management Division manager. “It’s challenging, but the code and its provisions are in place to protect land use, while providing residents with a process to address impacts.”